Edam Cheese vs Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese

Edam Cheese is a rubber-textured to crystalline cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy and made from cow milk.

What Is Edam Cheese?

Edam is a semi-hard Dutch cheese named after the town of Edam in North Holland, sold in flat-ended spheres under a red wax rind. It hardens rather than spoils, which made it the world's most popular cheese from the 14th to the 18th century.

What Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio is a long-aged Parmigiano Reggiano, the hard granular cow's milk cheese of Parma and Reggio Emilia. It is dry and grainy, with the sharp, salty, savory taste that makes it a grating cheese.

What's the Difference Between Edam Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Edam Cheese (pasteurized), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (raw)
• Texture: Edam Cheese (Rubber-textured to crystalline), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy)
• Taste: Edam Cheese (Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Edam Cheese Taste Like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory character. More specifically, Edam Cheese shows sweet milky-ness, light brazil nut and almond tones, gentle buttery-ness, aged variants show caramel and roasted nut qualities, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese leans toward strong umami from a high glutamate content.

Can You Substitute Edam Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

In most recipes, Edam Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect rubber-textured to crystalline bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, dry and grainy. Flavor-wise, Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory notes.

Which Is Better, Edam Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a rubber-textured to crystalline cheese, go with Edam Cheese. For a hard, dry and grainy profile, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Edam Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, milky, nutty, buttery notes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp, salty and savory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Edam Cheese the same as Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses.

Is Edam Cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Edam Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Edam Cheese taste like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is sharp, salty and savory.

What is Edam Cheese made of?

Edam Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 3 months to longer. It originates in Netherlands.

What is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese made of?

Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal (calf) rennet.

Which should I choose, Edam Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Edam Cheese is rubber-textured to crystalline, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy.